Mark Vender

February 16, 2023

AC disruptor secures further funding

BusinessNews

US air conditioning company Gradient has secured US$18 million (AU$26 million) funding to advance its innovative heat pump solutions. The Series A funding is co-led by Sustainable Future Ventures and Ajax Strategies, with participation by Safar Partners, Climate Tech Circle, Shared Future Fund, At One, Impact Science, and others. Gradient CEO Vince Romanin says the […]

February 16, 2023

Bans on horizon for common refrigerants

News

All eyes are on a European proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may result in bans on many widely used refrigerants. Alex Pachai, who chairs the Eurammon technical committee, the International Institute of Refrigeration working group on safety, and the industrial heat pump manufacturer’s group at the Danish Heat Pump Association, explains […]

February 16, 2023

RAC apprentices eligible for new ‘clean energy’ payment

News

Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices are now eligible for additional financial support thanks to the trade’s reclassification as a “clean energy” job in the updated Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The priority list identifies occupations for the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, which provides support payments for both apprentices and their employers. The latest priority list also […]

February 15, 2023

Expert guide to achieving net zero by 2040

News

UNSW experts have produced a guide to help the construction industry achieve net zero in the built environment by 2040, contemplating not only operational emissions, but also embodied carbon and the entire life-cycle of building materials. Race to Net Zero Carbon: A Climate Emergency Guide for New and Existing Buildings in Australia details information about […]

February 14, 2023

Tool to support move away from gas boilers

News

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has launched an online estimation tool designed to aid Australian businesses in sizing heat pumps to replace gas boilers in a bid to reduce skyrocketing energy costs and decarbonise operations to meet net zero targets. A2EP notes that although the implementation of industrial heat pumps is growing rapidly […]

February 7, 2023

Updated advice on indoor air quality

News

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) with support from AIRAH has released an updated handbook on indoor air quality. The handbook, last updated in 2021, has been revised to align with NCC 2022 and assist in understanding the indoor air quality (IAQ) verification methods in NCC Volume One and Volume Two. “The handbook contains explanations […]

February 6, 2023

Aeroseal underused Down Under, says Clean-Air

Business

HVAC hygiene experts Clean-Air are promoting the benefits of Aeroseal Duct Sealing technology, including the important role it can play in making buildings more energy efficient. Aeroseal is designed to reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of HVAC fans and by eliminating excess ventilation loads. “Sixty per cent of a building’s HVAC energy goes […]

February 2, 2023

NSW strengthens fire safety regulations

NewsRegulations

The NSW government has made important changes to its fire safety regime to address shortcomings of the system. The Fire Safety Regulation 2022, published in December 2022, requires engineers to seek comment from the Fire Commissioner when developing performance solutions for Class 2–9 buildings, ensuring that the NSW fire authority is more engaged in the […]

February 2, 2023

Updated guide on condensation management

Events and conferencesNews

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released an updated condensation management guide that explains the new provisions in the 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022). NCC 2022 will be adopted by states and territories on May 1, 2023, with some requirements – including those relating to condensation management – commencing on […]

February 2, 2023

Air conditioning costs to cause discomfort

News

Melbourne-based startup Conry Tech is highlighting the increased costs of air conditioning this year, and predicts this will bring mainstream attention to what is typically an invisible issue. Conry Tech CEO and co-founder Sam Ringwaldt, M.AIRAH, estimates that power bills for air conditioning will be over $12.4 billion in 2023, given recent energy price rises. […]